麻豆视频

The nights have grown longer and the leaves are putting on a final show before they fall from the trees. That only means one thing – we are rapidly moving into winter. I know that for nursing staff, this time of year means even more of an increase in patients, in whatever setting you work.  

We’ve already warned that without urgent action entire hospitals risk being overwhelmed by corridor care this winter. And that’s when there has been no respite in the summer months. But health care funding can and should be focused on the needs of patients, ensuring there are enough nursing staff, in the right places, at the right times to keep them safe.  

That’s our value. We’re the 24-hour presence. We are essential, safety-critical and key to safe patient care. But too often, we are undervalued. And it's time to recognise the true value of nursing. 

That’s what we’ve been telling the government and politicians from all major parties during their recent conferences. Our conversations have shown that we’re making progress on pay reform, but it’s infuriatingly slow.  

Long-overdue structural reform of nursing pay in the NHS is needed in every country. We are expecting the Westminster government to soon submit its evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body, an outdated process for setting nursing pay and one that we and other unions have confirmed we’re not participating in. We need a pay structure that rewards experience and supports career progression. Read more here.  

It's essential that the nursing voice is heard right across the UK. In England, staff side unions are working together more closely than ever to hold government to account. In Northern Ireland, our colleagues in health and social care have still not received a single penny of the promised award for 2025/26. This is absolutely unacceptable. The Northern Ireland Executive has been put on notice and we have entered into formal dispute. 

RCN Wales has launched its election manifesto, informed by our members, ahead of elections in May 2026, which you can read in Welsh and English here. And RCN Scotland will be doing the same ahead of elections soon.  

The manifestos will set out what we need from politicians in the long term. But right now there is an urgent need for politicians across parties to reconsider how they talk about immigration. I’ve been appalled and deeply concerned by the increasingly hostile rhetoric shown towards migrants. The RCN’s members are as diverse as the UK’s health and care workforce - and people who have come to the UK to care for patients and become part of our communities deserve so much better. We should be celebrating the enormous contribution of our highly international workforce. 

Last week we signed a joint statement with fellow unions to stand against anti-migrant and racist rhetoric. And we stand united in our commitment to dignity, respect, and equality for all. Now more than ever, we need to show solidarity with our international colleagues and migrant communities. 

We must not forget that migrant workers are essential to the health and care sector. They deserve safety, recognition, and respect. In his most recent monthly blog, Bejoy told us about the experiences of he and his family in recent weeks, and it is heartbreaking to read. So, we’re urging politicians and media to stop spreading misinformation and instead promote inclusive, evidence-based discourse. The RCN is here to support all internationally educated nursing staff - if you have been affected, you can contact our member support services.    

Last week we also released a new report highlighting the extraordinary challenges nursing staff face globally in areas of conflict. This includes increasing incidents of violence against staff and health facilities and gives accounts from nursing staff working in war zones. No nurse should ever face violence or obstruction simply for doing their job. Any killing of any member of nursing staff, in any context or for any reason, is entirely abhorrent. We’re calling on governments around the world to work with international partners to demand an end to the deliberate targeting of health workers and health systems. 

We've also recently announced that the RCN will pilot the accreditation of national neonatal specialty education and training programmes. I’m delighted that we will be leading this work, with NHS England, and helping to ensure consistency of standards, support neonatal nurses, and ultimately improve outcomes for the most vulnerable babies. RCN accreditation is the guarantee of excellent, evidence-based training and education.  

This week I appeared at the Health and Social Care Select Committee on assisted dying. I told the Committee that the Assisted Dying Bill has to be focused on respecting the autonomy and dignity of both patients and clinical professionals. You can watch the evidence session .  

Today we have also responded to the release of the Care Quality Commission’s ‘State of Care’ report, which is a stark reminder of just how challenging the government’s shift from hospital to community will be. Only new investment to grow the nursing workforce, particularly in community settings, will ease pressures on hospitals, improve care for patients and ensure the government’s reforms are delivered safely.  

I will be attending and speaking at our UK Joint Reps Conference, as well as the Wales and Scotland Activists Conferences over the coming weeks and I look forward to discussing our next steps on many of these issues, and how you can continue to fight for change for our profession and patients.